Statistician Overview

Are you an expert at reading all those charts and graphs shown during cricket matches? Are you among the select few who actually like number crunching? If your answer is yes then we have just the right career for you. Come, be a statistician.

 

Statistics is all about data analysis. Its objective is to draw a meaning and interpretation out of stacks of numerical data on facts and events. A statistician's job is also to make these conclusions simple enough for the layman to understand.

 

A statistician's task involves the following process:

 

Designing research or study methodologies

You might be required to forecast Indian population in the next 15 years. For this you will first need to decide which among the numerous statistical models is best suited for this job. You may also need to modify and customize it for the work at hand.

 

Determining the sample size

If as a Statistician, you are required to find out the average height of Indians, obviously you cannot measure the height of each and every Indian! You will have to determine the size and structure of a small group called the sample, which is a true representative of the entire population. 

 

Surveying or data collection

This is the actual legwork that you will have to do to collect data.

 

Categorisation and processing 

You will now have to sit down and categorise the data on various factors like sex, age, etc.

 

Analysis and interpretation

Now that the data has been properly categorised you will use various mathematical and statistical formulas to compute and obtain results.

 

Presentation of data

Once the data is analysed and interpreted; as a Statistician you should be able to present it in a manner such that it is easy to understand. As a Statistician you can use a variety of tools such as bar graphs, pie charts, etc. to display your conclusions.

 

Statisticians specialise in various areas according to the work they get involved in. These include:

 

Biostatistics & Health Statistics

Here you will use your skills in health science research, finding out efficacy of a drug, cost-benefit analysis of a method of treatment, analysis of rate of death for a particular disease, etc.

 

Mathematical Statistics

In this you will be involved in mathematical research involving computations and derivation.

 

Operations Research

Operations Research is used to find out the optimum usage of resources to gain maximum output. Areas such as process engineering and management, industrial operation design, etc. use operations research.

 

Statistical Quality Control

This is the application of statistical methods in maintaining quality of products, processes, and services. You will statistically find out for instance whether a batch of television sets is free of manufacturing defects.

 

Quantitative Economics 

Quantitative Economics is the specialised application of theories of statistics in the analysis of economic trends, economic planning, financial analysis and related fields. 

 

Applied Statistics

Applied Statistics is the use of statistical analysis in various areas like engineering, agriculture, meteorology, social science research, marketing research, etc.

 

As a statistician you will be working in close coordination with researchers in different fields, business managers and even government officials during projects. Most of your work will be desk bound except if you are actively involved in data collection.

 

Most often than not you will be using computers and advanced statistical and mathematical software for data processing, analysis, and interpretation.